BiblioQueria 18

Oy. So busy. Very little time to post, but been missing it so bad, had to make an effort.

So I'm thinking to myself, you know, I'm still really on a gardening groove, but it's about time I started talking about books again, so how can I combine the two passions in one post? Why talk about gardening books, of course! Heh. Aren't I clever? Ok, enough with the rolling of the eyes.

In the past month or so, I have purchased or received as gifts some wonderful gardening books, and I thought I'd list them, and say a few words about each book.

Garden Talk: Ask Me Anything by C.Z. Guest
I couldn't resist this one because it was marked down from $40.00 to $7.00. I'm not sure if it's really my kinda book; I have no idea who C.Z. Guest is, and quite frankly, based on the picture on the front cover, she looks a little too hifalutin for my tastes. The book is organized by seasons (which I find a tad odd), and within each season are subjects which are listed alphabetically. (For example, in Summer you have Dry Growing Season, Preparing for, followed by of all things Farming Lore, and then Garden for Cut Flowers). The book seems a little too scattered and general for my tastes, especially since I am a novice gardener, but it may be a pleasant book to browse through from time to time, and grab the occasional useful tid-bit.

The Canadian Encyclopedia of Gardening
editor-in-chief Christopher Brickell
Now this five-ton tomb is a wealth of organized information. The only problem with this 752 page monster is that it's bloody heavy, and a little difficult to handle (especially with my wonky arm!) But it packs a great punch of gardening knowledge. Chapters are organized in a logical fashion, which makes it very easy for the novice to get exactly what one needs. (Some very useful chapters: Gardening Planning and Design, Climbing Plants and Annuals and Biennuals). Excellent photograhs, especially when it's a step-by-step instruction, like say, How to Propogate Perennials by Root Cuttings. I do wish that there were more easy-access pictures for the novice to recoginize trees and flowers, but you can't have everything, I suppose. Besides, then the book would have to be carried around in a wheelbarrow or something. I know I will be using this book on a regular basis, in spite of the fact that it is goddam heavy.

Encylcopedia of Garden Plants and Flowers by Lance Hattatt
The perfect book for the totally clueless gardener, like myself. Everything listed alphabetically, with bright, beautiful colour images, along with the latin name and the more popular name that it goes by in the lay-gardener lexicon. For example, I am now totally in love with Iberis umbellata which is just your common candytuft. But it's heavenly! Along with the name and the pic of the plant or flower is a little info explaining whether it's an annual or perennial, and what are it's special needs. There's also an index of common names at the back, so that it will cross-reference with the latin names throughout the book. This is a fabulous book (thanks, Mom!), a real keeper. My only concern is the fact that it's published in the UK, so some of the common names that the Brits use may not be the same as the Canadian version. But overall, it's simply a delightful addition to my ever-expanding gardening library.

Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home
by Julie Moir Messervy and Sarah Susanka
I just couldn't resist this one! It's a lovely compliment to their first book, Inside the Not So Big House, which I also have in my possession. This is not so much a practical reference book, as an inspirational coffee table book, in my opinion. Gorgeous photographs of beautifully designed gardens all throughout this book. Thing is though, these houses aren't exactly not-so-big. In fact, most of them are pretty honking huge, with pretty damn large plots of land, and sometimes in strange locations, like a desert. I would have to look at some of these ideas, and figure out how to incorporate them within my limited space, and ahem, very limited budget.

Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass by Liz Primeau
Love, love, love this book. First, because it's Canadian, so all the gardens are more than likely doable, since they will be in my zone. Also, this is exactly what I want to do with by backyard. Get rid of all the grass, and just go crazy, baby! The ideas can easily be incorporated into backyard designs, too. Excellent photographs and descriptions of flowers and plants used for each garden, along with a detailed garden plan for each garden displayed. I look at these pictures and want to cry, because I can't wait to get going on my garden plan for the future!

You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening by Gayla Trail
What a fabulous idea for a book. And it's Canadian! Based on the many creative and inexpensive ideas found on www.yougrowgirl.com, Gayla Trail's book is fun, informative, creative and very inspirational. It's a hip, funny, down-to-earth approach to gardening for gals who may not have a lot of cash, gardening space or gardening know-how. Hey! That's sounds just like me! Lots of tips, projects and recipes can be found in this fun, funky, illustrated book (illustrations, by the way are by the very talented Leela Corman). And Gayla Trail is definitely my kind of woman. She's a graphic designer, writer, photographer and of course, gardener. And she lives in Toronto! Do you think if I called her, she might come over for tea and gardening advice?

So that's my garden library for now. I highly doubt that I will be able to limit it to just these titles. And so my BiblioQueria question to you is ...

What gardening books would you recommend for me, that are not already on this list?

Comments

[Bernita]

Most of my books revolve around herbs, but try to get your hands on - may find it at some yard sale - The New Garden Encyclopedia, edited by E.L.D. Seymour, 1943.
One of the best I've ever seen, cross-referenced, comprehensive,charming and down-to-earth ( sorry).

[Zachary Houle]

Pat, where is literary bookloving Pat? We want our old Pat back! New Pat has been taken over by the gardening Borg! Arrrrggggh!!

:-)

[Isabella]

I have no gardening books, but I don't have much of a garden either. Practically speaking I'd say Canadian is definitely the way to go though, as at least half of what you see in other books won't grow here.

[R J Keefe]

Lord, I used to have a real library, but then I used to have a garden! It's a terrible shock, not to be able to recall any of the titles.

C Z Guest was indeed a swanky lady, a Boston debutante who gardened on the North Shore of Long Island. She died a few years ago.

On quiet days, when there wasn't anything to do in the garden (August), I drew a lot of pleasure from Elizabeth Lawrence's essays. You might look her up. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807819077/103-8765255-7152654?v=glance&n=283155)

[renee]

It's nice to see someone else sharing this "double-bug" of gardening and books. It's been three years since I started my vegetable garden, and I think I'll finally get some edible tomatoes this year... most of my gardening knowledge comes from a book called "Square Foot Gardening."

The only book I have from your list is You Grow Girl, but I sure like that one a lot. I just don't have the time or the craftiness for a lot of this stuff. If I can just get something edible, it's a success.

[Sandy]

Oh man, I could recommend a whole bookcase. First off, my very favorite is Michael Pollan's "Second Nature: A Gardener's Education".

William Alexander's "The $64 Tomato" was fun, but not as educational.

Charles Elliot has a couple of books out - interesting perspective as an American gardening in Britain.

I'm sure I'll think of more later. Mine favorites are all essays about gardening, not references or how-to-do-it books so much.

[iliana]

So when do we get to see pictures of your garden? :) Unfortuantely I'm not a gardener at all so nothing to recommend here.

[Kate S.]

I wish I could work up a similar enthusiasm for gardening. I've always believed that the only role for me in the garden is seated in a reclining chair, wearing a big floppy hat, with a cold drink in one hand and a book in the other. Usually I get away with this as my beau is the gardener in our household division of labour. Alas, thanks to his work schedule this summer, most of the gardening has fallen to me. I'm finding it a struggle. Hopefully your gardening books recommendations will help!

[patricia]

Thanks for the recommendations so far!

Oh, and Iliana, most of my gardening work (other than the day-to-day lawn maintenance) is still all in my head, because this year I'm doing all the planning and organizing, so that I can (hopefully) have the beginnings of a successful garden next year. But very soon I will post some 'before' pictures of my garden-to-be, so you guys can see what sort of challenge I have ahead of me for next year!

[Anne]

I am a gardening fiend, Patricia, and learned most of it by just plunging in and making mistakes over many years. However, for several years I had a gift subscription to a U.S. magazine called Country Gardens (or Country Gardening? whatever), and it was excellent... with nice little "floor plans" for gardens in various exposures and contexts. I live in the city and they had urban gardens, too. Do check out gardening magazines next time you're in a bookstore with a comprehensive magazine section.

[Sandy]

Another worthwhile read: Four Tenths of an Acre: Reflections on a Gardening Life, by Laurie Lisle. It's not as humorous as Wm. Alexander's book, nor as erudite as Pollan, but it has some nice ponderings about women especially in relation to gardening.

[panasianbiz]

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. As a fellow book lover and a gardener as well, I really enjoyed your reviews. Thanks for sharing!